It’s January and many of us have their list of super ambitious 2015 resolutions written on the magnet blackboard stuck to the fridge: losing weight, going to the gym, no junk and no alcohol are probably there in the top priorities. At Shanghai Habits though, we think that the journey to a true lifestyle change begins with those small steps that day by day improve our balance and bring benefits to our body and soul. So what are our suggestions to make this one a healthier year

Go caffeine-free

Nutritionists often have disagreements on the benefits or harms of consuming caffeine. On the one hand, according to some, drinking coffee may help your cognitive and physical functions, improving your energy levels and making you smarter. On the other hand, some research suggest that coffee may be a source of anxiety, insomnia and skin related issues.

So, is coffee bad for your health? As we wait for the final, scientific answer to this question, try and listen what’s best for your very own body! We suggest you experiment with clearing-out your body from caffeine for a few weeks and, if you see any improvements, that’s the way to go for yourself! You can substitute coffee with the energy boost of all natural and additive-free teas and juices.

#gofruityourself

No nutritionist has a doubt on this one: fruit does help you keep healthy and energetic! Thanks to its high content of minerals, vitamins and fiber, eating fruit can reduce the risk of many diseases, keeping you healthier for longer and therefore improving your life’s quality.

We reckon, with these low temperatures, it may be difficult to feel that daily crave for fresh fruit. But no worries, there’s many winter-friendly options for consuming your fruit! Room-temperature smoothies are still a good option for this season. Just choose creamier fruit that don’t need to be refrigerated. We suggest a banana and avocado or banana and persimmon mix with a drop of honey and a dash of cinnamon. And how about a warm, freshly cooked oatmeal or quinoa pudding topped with nuts and berries?

Eat green

You’ve always known it: leafy greens can do miracles to your health. Although rich in all nutrients that are good for your body, greens still get a bad rep since it may be difficult to incorporate significant amounts into your daily diet.

Fear not! Mason jars were invented for you to be able to transport a delicious salad conveniently, so you can have a healthy meal at your workplace or during your lessons’ lunch break. Plus, jarred salads are in vogue at the moment, so you’ll be the cool kid in office or at school.

Don’t forget that you can also juice or blend your greens into a smoothie. For that purpose, read some of our favorite green smoothie recipes here. You can even switch the spinach for kale, or add both!

Snack smart

Satisfying that mid-day craving is important in order to avoid binge eating on the next meal. If you’re aiming to a healthier lifestyle in 2015, be smart about snacking and only choose those foods that are both healthy and gratifying!

For example, instead of reaching for the candy bar inside that tempting vending machine, you could go for a piece of chocolate. In fact, dark chocolate is beneficial for your body and makes the perfect alternative for unhealthy sweets.

If you need a boost of minerals such as iron, magnesium and zinc, go for a handful of raw cashew nuts. You can even blend them in a food processor for about 15-20 minutes to get an amazingly creamy butter spread for your toasts.

If you crave for a crunchy, flavorful snack, try some super healthy and 100% natural freeze-dried fruits. In Shanghai you will find them at some international grocery stores. You’ll never eat oily potato chips again!

Drink aware

Not to scare you, but it’s necessary to point out that, among the long-term side effects of excessive alcohol use, researchers count cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, digestive problems, cancer, anxiety, depression and others.

Drinking moderately though isn’t necessarily harmful. Many nutritionists, for example, don’t condemn the consumption of one glass of wine per day, especially the red varieties. In fact, it seems that if used moderately, wine may have anti-aging properties, prevent from certain types of cancer and provide benefits to the heart.

The National Health Service, UK, writes "Men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day. Women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day." A medium glass of red wine has about two units of alcohol. Be moderate and enjoy your Friday wine night!

At Shanghai Habits we do believe that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! No need to confine yourself into strict regimes, simply follow a few wise recommendations for your new healthy lifestyle & enjoy 2015 responsibly!

This article is by Ludovica Damonte, Shanghaihabits new Food Editor. Read more about Ludovica and her passion for real food & travel here.